A Staple From Quebec, Embarrassing but Adored

By KATE SEKULES, photo by Evan Sung

New York Times, May 23, 2007, Lightly edited by Elm Street Junkyard 11/13/14

DURING the 2000 presidential campaign, the candidate from Texas fielded a question from Canada: “Prime Minister Jean Poutine said you look like the man who should lead the free world into the 21st century. What do you think about that?”

When George W. Bush pledged to “work closely together” with Mr. Poutine, Montrealers fell off their chairs laughing. It wasn’t so much that the Canadian leader was, in fact, Jean Chrétien, but that the “reporter” — Rick Mercer, a television comedian — had invoked the city’s emblematic, problematic, comedic junk food dish: poutine.

A gloppy, caloric layering of French fries, fresh cheese curds (a byproduct of Cheddar making) and gravy, poutine goes deep into the Quebequois psyche. Somehow, Quebec’s rural roots, its split identity (Acadian farmers or Gallic gourmets?)   and its earthy sense of humor are all embodied by its unofficial dish.

The story behind the picture

Sunrise at Morgan Creek

The beauty of this pic is two-fold. This was taken by good friend Arthur Krasinsky. Its venue is extraordinary, even funny; belying its serene, solitary setting, it is actually hard by the Garden State Parkway northbound, just south of the Driscoll Bridge. You can pull over to the shoulder and shoot this puppy, with the hum of  bumper-to-bumper Jersey commuters drowning out your radio.
The 'two' of two-fold: I had it hanging in my office at Merrill Lynch HQ in Manhattan. A senior executive visiting me expressed an interest.
'Where is that, Maine?' he asked. 'It looks like Maine. I have a boat up there.'
I said I wasn't sure.
'It's Maine. I want it. I'll give you $200 for it.'
Out of the question, I told him. I liked the pic, and I thought it went well with my office decor 'Contemporary Clutter'. 
'I want it!' he insisted. 'How about $300?'
Reluctantly I parted with the 'prized' portrait, secure in the knowledge that Arthur would give me another print of it tomorrow!
Memory flags here. I'm sure I gave Arthur half of the swag, but he insists he didn't get a dime. The older I get, the more I lean toward his version.

(30)

Black Hero on the High Seas

William Tillman faced a brutal choice: slavery or death.
He was steward and cook aboard the merchant schooner S.J. Waring, about 300 tons, bound for Montevideo, Uruguay with an assorted cargo. Three days out from port, July 7, 1861, and one hundred fifty miles from Sandy Hook, New Jersey, at lat. 38°, long. 69°.

Tillman's vessel was boarded by men from the rebel privateer Jeff Davis. 

They declared the schooner property of the Confederate States of America. The Civil War was less than four months old.          

Line engraving published in Harper's Weekly, 1861, 

depicting the recapture of the schooner

S.J. Waring by William Tillman

.
The rebels ransacked the vessel and ordered Captain Smith, the ship's master, to haul down the Stars and Stripes. He was then taken to the privateer. Tillman was told that he, like the ship, was southern property and that he would be sold into bondage when the ship reached its new destination.
The confederates put a five man prize crew on Tillman's ship and turned her south, toward Charleston. Now, each day at sea beat down on Tillman like a hammer. An overwhelming sense of dread, however, was gradually replaced by iron-willed resolve. Tillman, in concert with a handful of passengers, hatched a bold plan.